Juggling Work and School
Information provided by Kaptest.com
Think that you're all alone as a part-time student in the b-
school world? You couldn't be more wrong! According to recent
studies, most graduate students earn their degrees while juggling
a career or family, or both. In fact, 52% of all grad student s
in the United States are part-timers, and 87% of all master's
candidates juggle a job with their studies, working an average of
37 hours a week!
If there's a possibility that you will have to work while you
are in school, check out the flexibility of any program that
interests you. Part-time study can make all the difference in the
course-work years, where carrying two classes per semester
instead of four can make balancing work and study possible.
Part-time programs are slow, however, which can be
discouraging.
For part-time students the frustration factor can be much
higher than it is for full-time students. So before you even
crack open a book, make sure you know why you're getting the
degree, and have your goals and priorities clearly in focus.
Not Just Clowning Around
While part-time graduate students in the arts or sciences often
have to battle perceptions that they are only dabbling in their
subject, part-time business students don't often encounter this
kind of prejudicial thinking. Though you might have to prove
yourself somewhat more than full-time students, schools and
employers really do appreciate the work involved in keeping up a
regular schedule while attending classes at the same time.
In fact, this might even make you more marketable in the
workforce, if you present this feat in the right light. A
part-time degree, when coupled with a full-time job, demonstrates
an amazing ability to prioritize and complete time-sensitive
tasks.
Getting Plugged In
One of the major drawbacks of a part-time degree is that you'll
have less of a chance at networking than students who are
immersed in classes twenty-four hours a day. In fact, this is one
of the major concerns of part-time MBA students. Because much of
the MBA's benefit lies in the network you build at school,
especially when attending a top program, part-timers often feel
isolated and left out of the networks.
Part-timers also may not have the same access to career
placement services as the full-time student. This can make a huge
difference when you graduate if you're among those who are not
being sponsored by their company. To counteract this
disadvantage, make an appointment with the Career Development
Office before you start your MBA program, and develop a good
relationship with them.
Being All You Can Be
Knowing what to expect from your part time program will be
incredibly helpful in the long run. You'll graduate with less
debt than your full-time counterparts, and companies will admire
your determination in attaining your MBA. And though you might
run into some problems that full time students wouldn't
encounter, these challenges can help strengthen your skills,
making you a better business person.
For more tips on how to begin your job search, read:
MBA Part-Time: An insider's guide to balancing work and
school.
More Information
Learn more about business school admissions at
www.kaptest.com/business.
Learn about Kaplan's GMAT programs at www.kaptest.com/gmat.
Enroll in a Kaplan course at www.kaptest.com/enroll.
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